Maestrani's chocolates delight region's appetite for treats
Swiss chocolatier Maestrani Schweizer Schokoladen brings more than 160 years of refined expertise in crafting cocoa delicacies to satisfy Asia's growing appetite for chocolates. With chocolate sales having doubled in China between 2006 and 2010, spurring continuing Asian demand for indulgent treats, the family-owned company is in an advantageous position to carve a niche for itself through its innovative cocoa confections.
Swiss chocolatier Maestrani Schweizer Schokoladen brings more than 160 years of refined expertise in crafting cocoa delicacies to satisfy Asia's growing appetite for chocolates. With chocolate sales having doubled in China between 2006 and 2010, spurring continuing Asian demand for indulgent treats, the family-owned company is in an advantageous position to carve a niche for itself through its innovative cocoa confections.
"You need creativity, open-mindedness, and a wide-eyed approach to the world in this business to find fresh ideas and translate them into chocolate, because almost everything has been done," says Markus Vettiger, CEO. "That's where we're very flexible and unique. We constantly invest in new processes or equipment to produce chocolates which nobody has thought of before."
Founded in Lucerne by Aquilino Maestrani in 1852, Maestrani chocolates have the biggest market share in Switzerland and are exported to more than 60 countries all over the world. Known for its high-quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients and centuries-honed production know-how, Maestrani offers a broad chocolate assortment suited for every customer.
The brand's carrier label of the same name, Maestrani, boasts organic fair-trade chocolate perfect for health-conscious consumers. Families with children will enjoy Munz, featuring colourfully packaged chocolates in fun flavours ranging from banana to fruit jelly. The company also markets a number of private-label products such as Rapunzel, an organic German chocolate brand, and Goldkenn, the iconic Swiss chocolate gold bars.
Having obtained technology patents to craft specialised chocolate products, Maestrani is keen on increasing its market share in Asia through local partnerships. It has recently found success in the travel retail segment through its destination products sold at international airports - chocolate tablets featuring pictures of locations ranging from Malta to Hong Kong.
"We work with Duty Free shop operators and importers from various Asian countries," Vettiger says. "We aim to be recognised as a high-quality Swiss chocolate manufacturer with specialities in a niche market."
http://www.maestrani.ch
